• Investing
  • Stock
Round Table Thoughts
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Home Economy Pastor Max Lucado: Surviving a challenging election season is possible
Economy

Pastor Max Lucado: Surviving a challenging election season is possible

by August 11, 2024
by August 11, 2024 0 comment
Share
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

By the time I arrived in San Antonio as a young minister in 1988, Buckner Fanning was already legendary. He was several decades into what would be a 40-year stint as pastor of Trinity Baptist Church. He had a flowing mane of white hair and a down-home preaching style that befriended the most hesitant of cynics. People called him the Protestant Pope of South Texas. 

We exchanged pulpits one Sunday. He came to our congregation; I went to his. When he was offered the bread and the wine, a memory surfaced that caused him to change the introduction to his sermon. 

Buckner was a Marine in World War II, stationed in Nagasaki three weeks after the dropping of the atomic bomb. The city, Buckner related, was something out of the apocalypse.   

While patrolling the narrow streets, he came upon a sign that bore an English phrase: Baptist Church. He noted the location and resolved to return the next Sunday morning.

When he did, he entered a partially collapsed structure. Fifteen or so Japanese were setting up chairs and removing debris. When the uniformed American entered their midst, they stopped and turned.

Try to feel the drama of this moment. On one hand stands a cluster of Japanese believers. Their city destroyed. Their bodies exposed to nuclear fall-out. Their loved ones burned and or buried by the Americans.

They hear someone enter what remains of their church. When they saw Buckner in uniform, they didn’t lash out, get even, chase him away or call him names. Indeed, they did just the opposite.

Buckner knew only one word in Japanese. He heard it. Brother. They offered him a seat. During communion, the worshipers brought him the elements. In that quiet moment, the enmity of their nations and the hurt of the war were set aside as one Christian served another the body and blood of Christ. 

Might their example help us in 2024?

It’s an election year. Prepare yourself for the coming more than 80 days of vitriol and anger. Elephants will stomp, donkeys will bray, and independents will, well, act independently. The political division is exhausting and relentless. 

Perhaps we need a lesson from the Japanese believers? Or, better still, perhaps we need to review the words of Jesus? On the last night of his life, Jesus prayed a prayer that stands as a citadel for all Christians:

I pray for these followers, but I am also praying for all those who will believe in me because of their teaching. Father, I pray that they can be one. As you are in me and I am in you, I pray that they can also be one in us. Then the world will believe that you sent me. (John 17:20-21 NCV)

Jesus, knowing the end is near, prayed one final time for his followers. He prayed not for their success, their safety, or their happiness. He prayed for their unity. He knew their unity would comfort the broken, encourage the weary, and build the church. 

And he prays for our unity still. 

Let’s be the answer to His prayer:

Reserve judgment Let every person you meet be a new person in your mind. None of this labeling or preconceived notions. Pigeonholes work for pigeons, not for people. 

Resist the urge to shout.  Is it possible to have an opinion without having a fit? Let’s reason together. Let’s work together. And, if discussion fails, let love succeed. ‘… for love covers a multitude of sins’ (1 Pet. 4:8 ESV). If love covers a multitude of sins, can it not cover a multitude of opinions?

These are crazy days. The good news? Life won’t be crazy forever. God has determined a day in which this upside-down world will be turned right-side up. Our ultimate solution is to set our sights on the greatest day– the promise of heaven.

One of my sermon illustration books contains a story about a missionary and his little son. They moved from England to Central Africa in the company of four other adults. Three of them died. The health of the father began to fail, so he resolved to return to England. He and his boy bounced for days across Africa in an old, broken-down wagon. Upon reaching the coast, they embarked for England by sea. Within a few hours, they encountered a brutal storm. The waves and wind combined to make the sound of cannon blasts and shake the ship from stem to stern. During a lull in the tempest, the father held and warmed his son.

Presently the boy asked, ‘Father, when shall we have a home that will not shake?’

I can’t vouch for the story. The book provides no source. But I can most certainly vouch for the question. I’ve asked it. You’ve asked it. Each and every person has felt this world with its troubles and tremors and asked, ‘God, when shall we have a home that will not shake?’

His answer? Soon, dear child. Very soon. 

Until then, let’s do our part to treat one another with kindness.

In his book ‘Streams of Mercy,’ Mark Rutland refers to a survey in which Americans were asked which words they would most like to hear. He says that he guessed the first two answers, but never imagined the third. Number one: ‘I love you.’ Number two: ‘I forgive you.’ But number three? ‘Supper’s ready.’

Those three phrases summarize the message of Jesus. He came with love, grace, and a dinner invitation. The Japanese believers followed his example. As a result, in Nagasaki’s world of chaos, there was a communion of grace. 

I have a hunch that Buckner and his Japanese friends are seated at the table today, in Paradise.

Dinner, anyone? 

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
You Might Also Like
  • South Dakota Republicans move to pass sweeping election security bills
  • Rhode Island election board finds ‘no obvious pattern of fraud’ in congressional campaign of Lt. Gov. Matos
  • S&P 500 and Nasdaq: Targets and Prices for Friday
  • Tim Scott fires back after Milwaukee mayor says he doesn’t ‘buy’ the idea that Trump surging with Black voters
Share
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

previous post
US, UK and Australia take next step in integrating AI defense systems
next post
2024 showdown: New polls this weekend in three key battlegrounds in Harris-Trump White House race

You may also like

House Oversight chair: China has ‘massive spy ring’ in US,...

February 13, 2023

House GOP moves to name US coastal waters after Trump

June 13, 2024

GOP senators insist Biden ‘will negotiate’ on debt ceiling, budget...

January 26, 2023

Congress should use ‘power of the purse’ to force changes...

August 7, 2023

Australian delegation meets with US officials, members of Congress to...

September 21, 2023

Gold & Silver Analysis: Key Levels & Trendline Insights

November 8, 2024

Key aspects of Trump gag order upheld by federal appeals...

December 9, 2023

How and where to watch Donald Trump’s town hall with...

December 6, 2023

US military delivers first round of humanitarian aid for Gaza...

November 29, 2023

Former Rep. Justin Amash says family members killed in Gaza...

October 21, 2023

    Stay updated with the latest news, exclusive offers, and special promotions. Sign up now and be the first to know! As a member, you'll receive curated content, insider tips, and invitations to exclusive events. Don't miss out on being part of something special.


    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Recent Posts

    • Krispy Kreme stock plunges after doughnut chain pauses McDonald’s rollout, pulls outlook

      May 8, 2025
    • Don’t Buy Robinhood Stock… Until You See This Chart Setup

      May 8, 2025
    • UnitedHealthcare sued by shareholders over reaction to CEO’s killing

      May 8, 2025
    • The Unpredictable Stock Market: How to Make Sense of It

      May 8, 2025
    • AMD CEO calls China a ‘large opportunity’ and warns against strict U.S. chip controls

      May 7, 2025

    Popular Posts

    • 1

      Trump-era China sanctions ended by Biden may be...

      June 27, 2024 2,630 views
    • 2

      Walz’s honeymoon with China gets fresh scrutiny as...

      August 9, 2024 2,339 views
    • 3

      Biden appointee played key role in recruiting Chinese...

      June 25, 2024 2,320 views
    • 4

      Shein’s global ambitions leaves some cybersecurity experts fearful...

      July 10, 2024 2,302 views
    • 5

      Harris VP pick spent years promoting research facility...

      August 29, 2024 2,186 views

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,066)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,530)

    Popular Posts

    • 1

      Trump-era China sanctions ended by Biden may be revived under new House GOP bill

      June 27, 2024
    • 2

      Walz’s honeymoon with China gets fresh scrutiny as Harris camp blasts ‘lying’ critics

      August 9, 2024
    • 3

      Biden appointee played key role in recruiting Chinese businesses to Delaware: ‘Longtime friends’

      June 25, 2024
    • 4

      Shein’s global ambitions leaves some cybersecurity experts fearful of Chinese spy threats

      July 10, 2024
    • 5

      Harris VP pick spent years promoting research facility that collaborated with ‘Chinese military company’

      August 29, 2024

    Latest News

    • Krispy Kreme stock plunges after doughnut chain pauses McDonald’s rollout,...

      May 8, 2025
    • Don’t Buy Robinhood Stock… Until You See This Chart Setup

      May 8, 2025
    • UnitedHealthcare sued by shareholders over reaction to CEO’s killing

      May 8, 2025

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,066)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,530)

    Disclaimer: RoundTableThoughts.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2024 RoundTableThoughts.com. All Rights Reserved.

    Round Table Thoughts
    • Investing
    • Stock
    Round Table Thoughts
    • Economy
    • Editor’s Pick

    Read alsox

    Melania ‘going to be out a...

    February 25, 2024

    Judge halts South Carolina’s new stricter...

    May 27, 2023

    Memorial Day requires reflection and reverence...

    May 29, 2023
    Sign In

    Keep me signed in until I sign out

    Forgot your password?

    Password Recovery

    A new password will be emailed to you.

    Have received a new password? Login here